Q&A: The Brakel “Nazir” or the Law of Tradition Regarding Birds
The Brakel “Nazir” or the Law of Tradition Regarding Birds
Question
The Haredi public has found a new controversy to wrap itself up in.
Recently, a number of activists decided that the tradition regarding the familiar poultry used by the industry is not sufficient (because of crossbreeding and all sorts of other ills), and they worked hard to find a cleaner breed. And indeed, some time ago they announced that the perfect bird had been found, nicknamed the Brakel Nazir.
And in fact, many homes began consuming this new bird.
But these righteous people failed to notice that in the Haredi public, anything new will always find an opponent.
And so a new controversy flared up regarding the new birds. Supporters of the new ones attack the old ones and define them as barely qualifying as a bird that a rabbi once permitted.
And conversely, opponents of the new ones praise the regular breed
and prohibit the new one in the strongest possible terms.
In short: joy and gladness.
That concludes the controversy briefing.
I would be interested in hearing your view on the whole issue of tradition regarding birds,
and the need for tradition on this topic, where there is so much confusion among the halakhic decisors, and where even in the Talmud there is no really clear definition.
Answer
I have no general opinion on this matter. It is indeed accepted that we require a tradition, but as for that itself, I do not know the reason for it (aside from factual concerns).
There was once an incident on the eve of Yom Kippur that fell on the Great Sabbath, when a Torah scholar of distinguished lineage stood and swung over his head a bird called “Brakel” —
seven circuits for the redemption of atonement-rites, and all the people pelted him with their etrogs until he became a heap of bones.
A heavenly voice went forth and said: Have you come to destroy My world? It is revealed and known before Him who spoke and the world came into being that the wild rooster has been prepared since the six days of Creation for the banquet prepared for the righteous. And whoever casts doubt upon it has no share in the World to Come.